Alex Braslavsky

Alex Braslavsky investigates the intricate relationship between aging and artmaking. In her project "The Connection between Aging and Artmaking," the 2025 Harvard Horizons Scholar and a PhD student in Slavic languages and literatures at Harvard's Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, brings together the works of three Slavic poets—Elizabeta Mnatsakanova, Bohumila Grögerová, and Krystyna Miłobędzka—to explore how the creative process evolves with age and what work by artists in their advanced age reveals about the human condition. 

Braslavsky’s interest in Slavic studies was initially inspired by her desire to connect with her Russian heritage and communicate with her grandmothers in Moscow. Her academic journey led her from learning Russian to embracing multiple Slavic languages, including Polish and Czech, and exploring the rich literary traditions these cultures offer. Personal experiences, such as formative friendships with older mentors, have deepened her interest in the interplay between aging and creativity, underscoring her belief in the value of intergenerational relationships and perspectives. 

In her research, Braslavsky examines the unique contributions of each poet within the context of aging. Elizabeta Mnatsakanova, whose manuscripts reside at Harvard’s Houghton Library, offers insights into the artistic process through her multimedia poetic albums, which blend poetry, calligraphy, and visual art. Her text, The Book of Childhood, revised extensively over decades, exemplifies how late-career experimentation often leads to innovative artistic breakthroughs. 

Bohumila Grögerová’s poetry reflects the challenges and transformations associated with aging. In her later years, facing the loss of her eyesight and the death of her husband, Grögerová's work captured a shift from concrete visual poetry to a more introspective, visionary style, demonstrating resilience and adaptation in the face of physical decline. 

Krystyna Miłobędzka, still actively writing at the age of 92, brings a contemporary perspective to the aging process. Her poetry, deeply rooted in the present moment and rich with natural imagery, defies the expectation of retrospection often associated with older age. Instead, Miłobędzka’s work pushes poetic boundaries, embracing a fluid and expansive self that engages with both memory and immediacy. 

Braslavsky’s exploration underscores the agency and vitality of aging artists, challenging conventional narratives of decline. By presenting these poets as a trio, her work emphasizes the diversity of late-life creativity and highlights the humanities' capacity to broaden discourses on aging. Through poetry, Braslavsky invites us to reconsider our perceptions of age, encouraging a richer understanding of life's later stages and the enduring power of artistic expression. 

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